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Should I make the same choice again?

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Christine Manley

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Hi

A month or so back my camera was stolen (Samsung GX10) and I now have the chance to buy again, if my claim gets paid out by the ensurance.

Now I'm wondering if I should buy the same again.

The reasons why I am still wondering is:
  • The camera was a bit too advanced for me, it sometimes took too long to make a shot.
  • I might never use all it's functionality
  • When I found myself in very crouded places, the size of the camera put me off from taking a lot of photos, it felt too obvious.
  • It has gotten more expensive on my side of the world
The reasons I might buy it again (or one which shares certain features):
  • The solid built
  • Very good image quality
  • Value for money
  • Didn't get nervous when I suddenly noticed a lot of dust on the body (when on a game drive)
  • Shake reduction (can't afford a good tripod at this stage)
So what is your view on my dilemma?
 
Hi Christine,

Sorry about your camera situation, yes it is a bit of a dilemma. You have lost a very sound camera and even if you did not use all the features things like anti-shake built into the body and dust/water seals are things you will want on your next camera.

The way I see it is, you found the Samsung a bit heavy, a bit too advanced and perhaps a bit too conspicuous. One of my mates at our camera club has one and I have used it a few times, yes it is very solid and large but as I use a Pentax K100d that is bound to be the case for me. He on the other hand finds my Pentax a bit small. So I reckon you would like the K100d, it is now out of production but they are around.

How about the Pentax K200d, same sensor as your old Samsung and as small as the K100d with weather sealing and anti-shake built in. With either of these cameras Christine you can also use the various program modes if you wish to take the easy route and of course you can use your existing lenses if they were not stolen.

If the idea of using an older camera (the K100d) concerns you because it only has 6 megapixels, have a look at my website, all the shots taken with a K100d and I regularly print at 15 inches X 10 inches.

Which ever route you go down please let us know how it goes and post lots of pictures.
Good luck, Richard.

--

If you have time, please have a look at my website. http://www.lincolnshireimages.co.uk/
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/richardspencer
 
Christine Manley said:
  • The camera was a bit too advanced for me, it sometimes took too
long to make a shot.
  • I might never use all it's functionality
  • When I found myself in very crouded places, the size of the camera
put me off from taking a lot of photos, it felt too obvious.
Click to expand...
I think much of this has to do with the camera you chose. The GX10 (and K10D) models are probably the most feature-packed digital SLRs in their class. Button clutter on those cameras also complicates things further. And in terms of size, they're as big as consumer digital SLRs get. It's understandable that a novice would find them daunting.

I think you can stay with digital SLRs and still alleviate some of the problems you're having. You can choose something smaller and more user friendly. I believe cameras like the Nikon D60 and Digital Rebel XS (EOS 1000D) have been streamlined for ease of use. And they're significantly smaller than your GX10 too. Although they lack in-sensor shake reduction, they do have it implemented on their respective kit lenses.

Other options include the K200D (as Richard pointed out) and the Sony A200. But keep in mind these two aren't significantly smaller than your GX10.
 
Christine Manley said:
Hi

A month or so back my camera was stolen (Samsung GX10) and I now have
the chance to buy again, if my claim gets paid out by the ensurance.

Now I'm wondering if I should buy the same again.

The reasons why I am still wondering is:
  • The camera was a bit too advanced for me, it sometimes took too
long to make a shot.
  • I might never use all it's functionality
  • When I found myself in very crouded places, the size of the camera
put me off from taking a lot of photos, it felt too obvious.
  • It has gotten more expensive on my side of the world
The reasons I might buy it again (or one which shares certain features):
  • The solid built
  • Very good image quality
  • Value for money
  • Didn't get nervous when I suddenly noticed a lot of dust on the
body (when on a game drive)
  • Shake reduction (can't afford a good tripod at this stage)
So what is your view on my dilemma?
Click to expand...
Hi - I remember you from when you were making your choice initially. I thought it was kind of a sweet story regarding your father always being fond of Nikon.

Well this is my view on your dilemma.

I understand how you feel about being overwhelmed with an advanced dslr. When I made my decision 3 years ago I was briefly tempted to go with a more advanced camera (Canon 20d). After I got the entryl level Nikon dslr (d50) and realized how complex a peice of equuipment it was I was very happy I didn't get something more advanced. I was also happy with my choice in that it was at the time one of the smallest dslrs.

I think you would be very happy with an entry level dslr. You may lose some features but you don't lose image quality. You also will be dealing with a camera that may be far more user friendly than you might expect. If you get the right camera - smaller size, easier to use feature set, I think you will enjoy using the camera and find the learning curve very manageable.

Personally I think you ought to revist the Nikon if only for sentimental reasons and if money is an issue, than the d40 rather than the d60.

As far as feeling uncomfortable with a dslr in a crowd - part of that is experience, part is just getting a smaller camera and part is also the reality that sometimes the situation just calls for a P&S.
 
Thank you so much for that last reply. I appreciate you taking my personal situation into account when making your comment, so many people go on with the brand hype when replying to these types of questions.

I did go look at the Nikon D60 today, felt VERY small compared to my Samsung, but that will turn out to be a good thing once I am comfortable with it. I do like the fact that they made the grip a little bigger than some other entry models, makes it more comfortable to hold.

One thing about Nikon, they make all the cameras feel solid and of good quality, even if the body is only plastic. At one stage, I really wanted a D80 with all my heart, but came to realise there is nothing really wonderful about it, that the main reason I liked it so much was because of how it felt in my hand (and of course the brand :) )

I looked at a D60 review on ephotozine, and couldn't believe the flower noise tests (almost the bottom of the page), are they for real? I've never seen those noise tests come out that excellent when done with an entry camera.....

I am going to loan the money from my boyfriend and pay him back in installments every month. If he is willing to lend me the amount i require, I will probably go for the Nikon.

A few things I noticed about Nikon, when you buy into the brand, you become part of the "club", and there is never a shortage of advice and service.

I will let you know the outcome:)
 
Christine Manley said:
I looked at a D60 review on ephotozine, and couldn't believe the
flower noise tests (almost the bottom of the page), are they for
real? I've never seen those noise tests come out that excellent when
done with an entry camera.....
Click to expand...
I haven't seen the specific test you are refering to but I will take a look but from what I've heard and seen in the forum the d60 noise is remarkable.
Christine Manley said:
A few things I noticed about Nikon, when you buy into the brand, you
become part of the "club", and there is never a shortage of advice
and service.
Click to expand...
Every brand has the club.
Christine Manley said:
I will let you know the outcome:)
Click to expand...
I'd appreciate it.

I am sorry about the situation with your first camera but consider it part of the learning curve. The only thing that surprises me is that you are comfortable with the ergonomics of a bigger camera. My hands are small so smaller is just so much better for me. Good luck!
 
Yeah, my hands are quite small too! That's why I was so suprised when I felt comfortable with the Nikon D80 and Samsung GX10 from the start, I still don't know what it was....

Yeah, I know every brands hase clubs, but I struggle to find dedicated forums for Pentax, Samsung and the like, or maybe its just me?
 
Like someone else already mentioned, if money is tight, consider the D40.

D60 has a few extra's but quality-wise they're equal. The only reason I would go for the D60 is the VR on the 18-55 lens, which would be helpfull in lowlight and higher iso. Hope you get luckier this time and keep shooting... practice does it.
--
------------------------------------------------
http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/alex_837/
Just trying to get better.....
 
Comparison of the four cameras mentioned;

Canon 1000D
Size 76% / Weight 63% / Viewfinder area 64%
CONs - smallest viewfinder, short battery life
PROs - liveview, smallest & lightest body

Nikon D60
Size 76% / Weight 66% / Viewfinder area 71%
CONs - smaller viewfinder, short battery life, no AF motor, only three AF points
PROs - smaller & lighter body

Alpha 200
Size 91% / Weight 79% / Viewfinder area 76%
CONs - larger and bulkier
PROs - anti-shake, wireless flash, larger LCD, larger viewfinder

Pentax K200D
Size 93% / Weight 87% / Viewfinder area 82%
CONs - largest and bulkiest, only takes AA batteries
PROs - anti-shake, wireless flash, weather-sealing, largest viewfinder

If you want a weather-sealed body then the K200D is your only real option. However that camera takes AA batteries, which most people agree are not as good as the lithium ion battery you had in your K20D.
--
Stuart / the Two Truths
http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_truths/
http://two-truths.deviantart.com/gallery/
 
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